Introductory Microbiology and General Bacteriology

At the end of this course, students should be able to: 1. identify and differentiate various organisms of medical importance; 2. describe the different levels of interaction between the host, environment and pathogens; 3. define normal body flora and roles in health and disease; 4. discuss collection, transportation and processing of clinical specimens; 5. describe the pathogenesis and clinical manifestations of infectious agents; 6. apply the knowledge of medical microbiology in management of patients; and 7. control infections in the hospital and community.

Infectious disease, past and present. Mode of transmission of infectious disease. Nature and classification of bacteria of medical importance. Mechanisms of pathogenicity and virulence. Microbial metabolism and multiplication. Specification defence mechanisms against bacteria. Exotoxin-producing bacteria. The process of bacterial destruction (sterilisation and disinfection). The normal flora of the human body. Description and identification of the following organism, Salmonella typhii, Shigella spp, Mycobacterium spp, Brucella spp, Corynebacterium spp, Clostridium spp, Spirochaetes, Listeria, Yersinia spp, Vibrios, Campylobacterium spp, Enterobacterium, Acinetobacterium spp, Pseudomonas spp, Actinomyces and Nocardia Chlamydia, Mycoplasma and Rickettsia spp.